'Run, run as fast as you can'

SUMMERFORD -

"If you cross the finish line, you're a winner."

That's an important part of the philosophy behind the thrust to develop cross-country running at New World Island, especially for elementary students. Organizers of the New World Island club ran their second annual meet for elementary students in June and deemed it a very successful event.

Kim Harris and Gloria Barnes, co-coaches for the club and responsible for organizing the annual track meet, were quite pleased with the participation as well as the help given by volunteers who included parents as well as current and former students of New World Island Academy.

"This was our second meet," said Ms. Barnes, "and we hope to continue the effort as an annual event. The many volunteers we had helped make the meet run very smoothly and we thank all those who helped including Constable Shawn Coady from the Twillingate RCMP detachment."

The cross-country meet, featuring a one-kilometer track was held on the ski trail behind the Town Hall at Summerford. The meet included Grade 4-6 students from NWIA, Greenwood Academy (GA) and Twillingate Island Elementary (TIE).

Following the official opening which featured Miranda Boyd, a Grade 5 student from NWIA, singing O Canada, Ms. Harris welcomed all participants and explained the schedule and procedure. This was followed by a walk through to familiarize students with the course.

The top three winners for both boys and girls at each grade level were given medals with all students receiving participation certificates. The list of medalists included:

Grade 4:

Boys

1st Joey Keefe - NWIA

2nd Cody Anstey -TIE

3rd Zachary Pond - TIE

Girls

1st Marina Clarke - TIE

2nd Natalie Hawkins - TIE

3rd Carrie Wheeler - TIE

Grade 5:

Boys

1st Dillon Quinlan - GA

2nd Cameron Budden - GA

3rd Koltyn Peckford - NWIA

Girls

1st Kourtney Canning - NWIA

2nd Tamara Hollett - GA

3rd Kourtney Short - GA

Grade 6:

Boys

1st Nicholas Smith - NWIA

Girls

1st Tanisha Harris - GA

2nd Samantha Budgell - GA

3rd Cayley Thoms - GA

Ms. Barnes noted that the club at New World Island is progressing well with some 20-plus students form the elementary grades attending practice regularly.

"It's a great physical activity where students can learn to appreciate being part of a team, and all you need is a good pair of running shoes and plenty of determination," she said. "And, after all, if you cross the finish line, you're a winner."